Fountain, CO Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

060 designates a building substandard when conditions endanger life, health, safety, property, or welfare, including junk or debris scattered on the premises, dry rot or insect infestation, broken doors and windows, unmaintained landscaping with weeds over nine inches, peeling paint, deteriorated off-street parking, and inadequate sanitation such as missing hot and cold running water. 050 declares any building meeting those criteria a public nuisance to be abated by repair, rehabilitation, demolition, or removal. The code compliance officer investigates on citizen complaint or in the course of duties, and may enter property to inspect after presenting credentials; if entry is refused, the officer must give 24 hours' written notice and, if still refused, obtain a search warrant from a municipal judge under Rule 241 of the Colorado Municipal Court Rules of Procedure.

Emergency conditions allow immediate entry and summary abatement. The city issues written notice to abate, and the responsible party may demand a hearing before an administrative hearing officer within seven business days; filing a demand stays abatement until the hearing concludes. 210 lets it recover its actual abatement costs plus 15 percent for inspection, a minimum $100 fee, and other incidental costs as a lien against the property, collectible through the county treasurer with the property tax bill if unpaid after 30 days. A hearing officer's decision can be appealed to a court of competent jurisdiction under Colorado Rule of Civil Procedure 106(a)(4).